October is Prengancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month

The month of October has been nationally recognized as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Throughout this month, many grief organizations, support groups and even hospitals hold events for families to remember those babies who died too soon. Also taking place in October throughout most of the United States is the annual “Walk to Remember” walkathon—again to honor Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

Here is some general information on A Walk to Remember: http://dying.lovetoknow.com/Walk_to_Remember_Infant_Loss

Thanks for posting this, Mary Beth. I haven’t heard of this before, but I think it’s a wonderful idea. It’s so hard to know how to commemorate the life of an infant, but this is a nice way to memorialize them for both the parents and friends who support them.

Unfortunately, I never heard about it until after I went through such a loss. It’s so tragic that these infant deaths are rarely talked about even though babies are dying every day. But it’s not so much as memorializing as it is to raise awareness about these deaths… research needs to continue to help determine causes of these deaths.

Hi Mary Beth, Like Holly, I appreciate you posting this. I too, had no idea that October is Pregnancy and Infant loss awareness month- I hope this is not incorrect, but I thought that October was for breast cancer awareness month.

Mary Beth, I think you are right, much more needs to be done so that the public can understand and know about events such as these. I’m not sure why a bigger effort isn’t made to educate us.

Jacqueline,

yes, October is dedicated to several different causes it seems! More awareness has been made over the years and I think part of it is because of the Internet. More families are connecting about their losses and are spreading the word about this observance.

Mary Beth, yes, I think this is one of the very best things about the Internet- the fact that information is literally at our fingertips. Even better is the fact that folks do get to connect and share- especially when it comes to loss.

I think that losing a pregnancy (and an infant) is a special kind of loss, so I’m really happy that people banded together and decided to dedicate a month to remembering and raising awareness.

Pregnancy and infant loss is such a specific type of grief that events like this probably help families connect with other who have gone through the similar things. Not to minimize other deaths, but there is something so internalized about losing a child.

There is a local support group meeting in my area next week for families who have had infant loss. The meeting is in recognition of October as infant loss month. I was glad to see that there was support for this. I never heard about it before this discussion but I’m glad it’s out there for families.

That’s really great news Holly, I’m glad that folks are really trying to get the word out. I hope they’ll be even more press given to this subject- it’s an important one. Do you have to do anything special to help support?

I’ve also been wondering why their isn’t more publicity and attention given to this. Maybe it’s because, unlike other health issues, there are no survivors to rally around and support?

There is an organization called Share that has support groups throughout the country. I haven’t heard of it myself before but it seems like a great resource.

Hi Holly, that’ a great resource you’ve just shared- I wasn’t even aware of it, so thanks for taking the time to put it up here for us. It is sad how we’re almost at the end of October and I haven’t heard a peep from anyway about this very important subject.